Physical Education Curriculum

Elementary

Traverse City Area Public Schools is proud to provide a quality physical education program taught by certified professionals. The K-5 elementary curriculum incorporates thirty-five objectives in the areas of locomotor skills, object control skills, fitness, cognitive concepts, and personal/social skills. Each objective is broken down further into grade-appropriate benchmarks. These benchmarks help us assess the expected levels of achievement as identified by the Michigan Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum. The elementary curriculum is based on a program that provides kindergarten through 2nd grade students three, thirty-minute sessions and 3rd through 5th grade students two, thirty-minute sessions per week.

The physical education staff believes a strong partnership between home and school is a critical part of your child’s learning. Thomas Jefferson once said, “Exercise and recreation…are as necessary as reading: I will rather say more necessary, because health is worth more than learning.” Although it has been 200 plus years since Jefferson voiced these astute words, they still ring true. Being well informed allows you to better support your child’s learning and continued growth.

Learn to Move ~ Move to Live

Secondary 6-12

Physical education contributes to the physical, intellectual, social and emotional well-being of the student. Our curriculum is devoted to purposeful instruction in progressive activities to promote a positive self-concept through fitness, sport, dance and lifetime recreational pursuits. Participation and involvement are required at all levels. Health related fitness is the goal for all students. The curriculum intent is to provide students of all abilities and interests with a variety of movement experiences that will lead to an active and healthy life. Activities are taught in a coeducational environment.

TCAPS middle schools and high schools require all students to take physical education. In sixth grade, physical education classes are taken every other day throughout the school year. Seventh and eighth grade students are required to take one semester of physical education. All middle school students may take additional physical education courses through their elective options. Students in grades 9-12 must earn 1 credit (two semesters). High school students may also take additional physical education courses through their elective options. All health education is included in the secondary physical education curriculum and will be taught during physical education courses.

“Physical education is the only subject, which by the very nature of its content has the potential to affect how a person will feel every moment of every day for the rest of his or her life.” – Allen Russell

TCAPS’ students will benefit from physical fitness by increasing self-confidence, building strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance, coordination, posture, and balance.